Mercedes CL55 AMG as a daily driver investment???

ewalker125

New Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2017
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
Kidderminster
Your Mercedes
CL55 AMG
Hi Guys!

I'm new to the forum but have been reading threads for years now. I'm looking to buy a 2000-2003 reg CL55AMG to use as a daily driver but with the hope that I'll make some money off it! The budget is around £6,000 so looking at one with 60-80k miles on it. I've always been impressed with the car but am wary that if something goes wrong, it's going to cost me a lot!

I'd be really interested to hear people's thoughts/experiences/recommendations!

Fire away, cheers!
 

Naraic

Moderator
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
10,686
Reaction score
1,274
Your Mercedes
2005 CL500.
How on earth could you make money on it? Your budget will get one with twice your desired mileage.
 
Last edited:

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone
You won't make any money on it. You'll be lucky to lose only 50% of your purchase price on repairs and maintenance in your first 4-5 years of ownership.

That said, don't let it put you off buying one. I have a 2000 Reg CL500 as daily drive and it is indeed sublime.
 

00slk

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
9,594
Reaction score
9,296
Location
Cambridgeshire UK
Your Mercedes
2002 SL55 AMG, 2005 E320 CDi, 2014 SLK250 CDi, 2003 SLK200
How on earth could you make money on it? Your budget will get one with twice your desired mileage.

Naraic, I think he maybe looking to use it as a private cab or hiring? That would be the only way to make money from it.

I use my SL55 AMG as my daily driver and apart from the 22mpg to and from work it is very capable of doing exactly the same as a disposable roundabout would do except maybe more comfort, more performance and more 'oh yer factor' :mrgreen:
 

Naraic

Moderator
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
10,686
Reaction score
1,274
Your Mercedes
2005 CL500.
You won't make any money on it. You'll be lucky to lose only 50% of your purchase price on repairs and maintenance in your first 4-5 years of ownership.

That said, don't let it put you off buying one. I have a 2000 Reg CL500 as daily drive and it is indeed sublime.

You better change your info from "garage queen..."...;)
 

Naraic

Moderator
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
10,686
Reaction score
1,274
Your Mercedes
2005 CL500.
Naraic, I think he maybe looking to use it as a private cab or hiring? That would be the only way to make money from it.

I use my SL55 AMG as my daily driver and apart from the 22mpg to and from work it is very capable of doing exactly the same as a disposable roundabout would do except maybe more comfort, more performance and more 'oh yer factor' :mrgreen:

Haha...imagine asking a passenger to get in the back...it's difficult. (Disposable roundabout??)
 
Last edited:

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone
Haha...imagine asking a passenger to get in the back...it's difficult. (Disposable roundabout??)

CLs are not renowned for rear legroom, odd for a 16 foot long car!!!
 

John Laidlaw

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
26,373
Reaction score
9,163
Location
Wirral
Your Mercedes
Land Rover Discovery 4
Tried to use my SL as a daily driver and that's when the trouble started!
Yeah I know that was just coincidence ...;)
 

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone
Tried to use my SL as a daily driver and that's when the trouble started!
Yeah I know that was just coincidence ...;)

I was remarking to my Dad just yesterday that a lot of the rattles and squeaks on mine have either diminished or disappeared since I started using her for daily commute...
 

John Laidlaw

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
26,373
Reaction score
9,163
Location
Wirral
Your Mercedes
Land Rover Discovery 4
I was remarking to my Dad just yesterday that a lot of the rattles and squeaks on mine have either diminished or disappeared since I started using her for daily commute...

You've turned up the sound system Craig!
 

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone
You've turned up the sound system Craig!

No, genuine observation! The whole car just feels smoother. I think it lends credence to the "these cars need constant use to stay in good shape" belief.
 

John Laidlaw

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
26,373
Reaction score
9,163
Location
Wirral
Your Mercedes
Land Rover Discovery 4
No, genuine observation! The whole car just feels smoother. I think it lends credence to the "these cars need constant use to stay in good shape" belief.

Yeah I was being facetious as normal Craig, totally agree- they need driven!
 

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone

Naraic

Moderator
Joined
Mar 4, 2010
Messages
10,686
Reaction score
1,274
Your Mercedes
2005 CL500.
Tried to use my SL as a daily driver and that's when the trouble started!
Yeah I know that was just coincidence ...;)

The fuel tank behind the rear seats eats up space in the boot and the cabin.
 

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone

Flyinspanner

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2010
Messages
3,283
Reaction score
1,577
Location
Ruislip
Your Mercedes
CLK320-A209 (sold CL500 & W168)
Talk to Terry at Wayne Gates in Harrow, he had a CL55 up for sale, with a repacement engine in it, lots of work done, ex-owned by by another member here.

I use my CL500 as a daily driver, and it makes me smile every time I get in it, it's a very relaxing, cosseting place to be, that said, if you wish, she will pick up her skirts and fly.

I suppose they will increase in value over time, as they are so beautiful, and numbers will dwindle as some get parted out due to current low values, when somewhat minor - yet fairly costly things need doing.

Use the search button and look at threads on 'CL500', W215, ABC, CL55, and you will educate yourself on things to look for. It may well be an investment to buy an icarsoft980, or icarsoftMB2 code reader,so you can check for stored faults.
Be wary of ones with very little use,...they can be more troublesome than ones which have higher miles but regular use.
Look through the history.
Check boot area is dry, and floor carpets front and back.
Check for corrosion at C pillar/wing joint, door bottoms.
Is a service due?
Tyres £120+ per corner.
Has any work been done to ABC system, - flush and renew every 2-3 years to keep it working well (clean fluid helps it stay healthy)
Check ABC can raise and lower the car a few times.
Check every electrical item, especially the switches on each door, - wiring fails here cheap to fix but a little fiddly.

There are good ones out there, happy hunting.....and post up pics when you get one :)
 

Craiglxviii

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2015
Messages
17,781
Reaction score
7,426
Location
Cambs UK
Your Mercedes
970 Panamera Turbo; W221 S500L AMG Line, C215 CL500, W251 R350L AMG Line, plus several more now gone
Alex Foti's is a good call. That's s great car that's totally sorted.

This board has every resource available to support CL and SL models with ABC, which must be a primary consideration for you.
 
Top Bottom